Skip to content
  • Common Currency
  • Campaigns
    • PENWrites
    • Writers at Risk
    • Writers in Residence
    • Free speech in the UK
  • News
  • Events
  • Translation
    • PEN Translates
    • PEN Transmissions
    • International Translation Day
    • The World Bookshelf
      • Books
      • Authors
      • Translators
  • Prizes
    • PEN Pinter Prize
    • PEN Ackerley Prize
    • PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize
  • Donate
  • Join
Home > News > Attending literature festivals where human rights are threatened: English PEN publishes guidelines for writers

Attending literature festivals where human rights are threatened: English PEN publishes guidelines for writers

English PEN is today publishing guidelines for writers attending international festivals.

These guidelines aim to support writers who have been invited to events that take place in countries with poor human rights records and severe limits on freedom of expression, or where writers are at risk.

In December 2018 English PEN convened a private roundtable, chaired by its president, lawyer and writer, Philippe Sands, for writers and other literary professionals to share experiences. Based on this discussion, English PEN’s guidelines and suggested questions provide context for writers who have been invited to speak abroad.

Philippe Sands said:

In the wake of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, with over a hundred writers now imprisoned in Turkey, and with freedom of expression being dramatically curtailed in so many places around the world, it is more important than ever for each of us, as writers, to reflect on our role and responsibilities in deciding on invitations to speak.

While it is an individual decision whether to attend, withdraw or boycott an event, English PEN believes that literature festivals are valuable forums for free expression, sharing values and challenging abuses. They can benefit writers and audiences alike. English PEN encourages writers to advocate for fundamental human rights whenever they are under attack.

At the same time it is becoming increasingly important that we protect freedom of expression at literary festivals at home. In an English PEN session at the London Book Fair on Thursday 14 March 2019, panelists including Nick Barley, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, translator Marta Dziurosz and English PEN Director Antonia Byatt noted that a hostile immigration environment in the UK is making it increasingly difficult to obtain visas for some writers coming into the UK. They called on the UK government to be a leader, welcoming writers from around the world to take part in the open forums provided by literature festivals. They are a valued place for democratic debate in this country.

Antonia Byatt, Director of English PEN, said:

It is essential that writers have freedom of movement in these times. Literature is common human currency; sharing ideas, experiences and values is not only an important part of how we relate to other nations, it is a building block for a free and democratic society. In the year of the Foreign Office’s campaign for free media we need to show that the UK really is a leader.

PEN’s guidance to writers travelling abroad can be found here.

Monday 18th
March 2019

Share

Join our mailing list

Sign up to receive the latest English PEN news and events.

SIGN UP
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Partners
  • Outreach
  • Jobs
  • Contact us

With thanks to our Core Funders

©1921 - 2020

English PEN is a company limited by guarantee number 5747142 (England & Wales) and a registered charity, number 1125610.

We use cookies to help us improve your experience on our website. By closing this notification or interacting with the website you agree to our use of cookies. ACCEPT Find out more
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.